How to choose toys that will help your child stand
What
can give you more joy than watching your child learn to stand on his own? This
means they will soon be able to take their first steps and you will never want
to miss any of those little milestones.
When
choosing the best toys to teach your child to stand and walk, you should look
for those that pose a lower risk of injury or accident. Children can easily
injure themselves while trying to walk.
In
order for your child to stand up, they need sufficient muscle strength in the
limbs, hips, and trunk. As this strength develops, toys can give them the extra
support they need. The best types of toys to help your child learn to stand and
walk include:
- Play pens
- Push toys
- Baby jumpers
- Hula hoops
- Large balls
Why choose toys that help your child stand?
Babies
should practice independent standing as this prepares their muscles for the
next step; walk.
You
may be tempted to offer arm support to help your child stand up. Walking with
them holding one hand can help them learn how to balance. After that, you can
let them walk on their own by pushing a chair or box.
When
to buy standing toys for a child. Development is not the same for all children.
Most babies start trying to stand between 7 and 9 months, but for some babies
it can happen much later. During these attempts, your baby will grab onto
anything that can help him get up. It could be furniture, stairs, or your feet.
When
you notice that your child is trying to get up, it may be time to bring
supportive toys to help him. These toys are designed to encourage your child to
move independently.
Tips for encouraging your child to stand
There
are several things you can do to help your child learn to stand up on their
own.
- Let the child do something. You can encourage your child by
taking them for walks around the neighborhood or to the playground. At home,
you can create obstacles with boxes or pillows and encourage them to climb or
crawl.
- Encourage them to try. As soon as you notice your baby
trying to get up in his crib, encourage him by putting his favorite toys out of
reach so he has to move to grab them. Try to limit the time your little one
spends in strollers and other equipment that restricts their movement.
- Provide support items. Some items that can help your child learn to stand independently are already in your home, such as smooth furniture surfaces and durable toys.
- Use the right furniture. In addition to standing toys,
furniture is a great tool for toddlers who are learning to stand on their own.
Make sure the furniture your child uses is low off the ground so they can
safely pull themselves up. If you're using furniture that can tip over easily,
it's best to fix it or mount it to the wall. A wall mount will come to the
rescue.
What to avoid
While baby walkers may seem like a great idea for helping kids learn to stand and walk, experts advise against using them. Most walkers have wheels on the bottom so that the child can stand inside while the walker rolls. This means that your child is immobile and may not have any control over where the walker goes. Babies have injured their heads and necks while trying to use walkers as assistive toys.